Bean-harvester.



GJM

J. PIPER.

BEAN HARVESTER.

APPLICATION PILBD MAR. 21, 1914.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

momma J. PTPER.

BEAN HARVESTER.

,APPLICATION FILED MAB.21, 1914.

Patented Jan.5,1915.

WIT/VESSES a, 7km

@Y 711 wm ATTORNEYS J. PIPER.

BEAN HARVESTER.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21. 1914- w Llgg. 'Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

By Mlamam ha stares Parana one.

` JOSEPH PIPER, F LELAND, IDAHO.

BEAN-HARVESTER.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH PIPER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Le# land, in the county of Nez Perce and State of ldaho, have made certain new and useful improvements in Bean-Harvesters, of which the following is a speciiication.

l conveyer.

comprises' a mam of, and within the frame. The'wheels are of. f usual construction, having transverse cleats 5 on their peripheries, and abevel gear wheelv My invention is an improvement in bean harvesters, and has lfor its object to provide a harvester of the character specified, adapted to cut the plants as they grow in the elds, and wherein means fis provided for cutting the plants at any desired height from the ground, and for delivering the plants to dropping mechanism, by means of which the plants may be arranged in winds rows. 1 v

'In the drawings: Figure 1*is a side view of the improved harvester, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section, Fig. 3 is a section -on the line of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. f1 is a perspective view ofavportion of the endless The present embodimentv of the invention frame, of substantially rectangular shape, rear` bars 1 and 1"",fain`d side bars 2 and 29. An axle 3 is journaled transversely'of the main frame in thearms 2 and 2?, and wheels 4 are secured to the axle near the ends there- G is secured to theaxleadjacent to one of -th'e- Wheels.

An auxiliary frame isisup'iported by the `axle. the said frame comprising arms 7, each 4S and extendingrearwardly,

-of which is provided at `its rearendvwith a bea-ring 8 for engaging the axle, and braces 9 are connected with the arms atV the inner sides thereof and near the axle, each brace inclining outwardly from the adjacent arm .and having a bring 10 at its rear` end or engaging the a e. Y

The'arms 7 are connected'pat their front ends by the cutting mechanism to'be later described is supported bythe arms and the shafts. The auxiliary .frame constitutedby the'arms 7 and the shafts 11' and 12,-is". mounted to lswing onV the axle, and is adjusted with respect to the axle', by means ofa lever 13 jpivoted to a bracket 14 extending forwardly from the rea-r bar 1, and the lever is` provided.y with Specification of Letters Patent.

c a bevel pinion 26 which and comprising front and A shafts 11 and 12 respectively, and

the usual latch mechanism 15, for coperat-vv` ing with a toothed sector 16 supported by a bracket 16a, vfo'r holding the leve/1' in adjust Paten-ted Jan. 5, lg. Y application flied March 21, 1am. serial No. 826,220. i

frame, and the said shaft is provided with ,v

an upstanding arm 19, which is connected to the lever by means of a link 20. Near each end the shaft 17 is provided with radial arms 21, and eacharm is connected to the adjacent end of the shaft 12 by means of a link 22. It will be evident that when the .lever 13 is swung in the proper direction,

the auxiliaryframe may be raisedand lowered. Y

A countershaft 23 is journaled longitudinally of the main frame, in the rear bar 1a and in a bearing 24 connected with a brace 25, which issecured at its rear end to the rear bar 1, and at its front end is journaled onthe axle 3. The shaft '23 is provided with meshes with the bevel gear 6 on the axle. The colinteshaft extends beyond the rear bar 1a of the main frame, and at its rear end the said shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 27. Four stub 'shafts 28 are journaled in bearingsm29 supported by the rear bar l of the main frame, andeach of the stub shaftsis con-v nected to the rear end of ancolinecting rod 30, by means of a universal joint 31.

Gear wheels 32 are secured to the rear ends of the stub shafts, andthe said gear wheels mesh with each other, to constrain the four stub shafts to rotate at the saine Ispeed.' A sprocket wheel 33 is secured to the Y stub shaft 28 which is adj acentto the counltershaft 23, and sprocket chain 34 connects the said wheel with the wheel 27 ThusV the four stub shafts are drivenJ from the vcountershaft, and since the said stub shafts are geared together by the gear wheels 32,

they will rotate together at the 'same speed, j but with thevalternate shaft'smoving in' the.

opposite direction to the intermediate shafts.

A plurality of substantially U-shaped frames are connected with the shafts 11 and 12,

and in rearof the shaft 12, tending forwardly in parallel relation transversely of the said shafts. A plurality of alined 'bearings 37 is supported byeach arm of each frame, and a driving shaft [#38 is each frame comprising a body 35 ar-A ranged parallel with the shafts 11 and 12- and arms 36 exlos journaled in each pair of bearings. Each of the driving shafts is connected at its rear end to the end of the adjacent connecting rod 30, by meansof a universal joint 39, and 5 the front end of each of the said driving shafts has secured thereto a bevel gear 40.

A bearing plate 41 isconnected with each arm 36 of each of the frames 3'5-36, at the lower end thereof, and-on the under face of the arm, and a stub shaft 42 is journaled transversely of the lower endl of each bearing plate. Aconcavo-convex cutting disk 43 is secured to each shaft, abovejthe bearing plate, and each of the said disks is arranged with its concave face upward. A bevel gear wheel 44 is secured to each shaft above the.

disk, and each of the bevel gears mesheswith the adjacent bevel gear 40.V

It will be noted from an inspection of framer are of such size that their cutting edges overlap between the arms 36 of the frame. The frames are spaced apart from each other a distance such that the central disks of the four will be spaced apart. Thus the disks are arranged in two series, and the disks of each'series overlap. Since the al ternate gear wheels 33 rotate in. the opposite l direction tov the intermediate gear wheels, the members of each pair of disks rotate in opposite directions.

The arms 436 of the U-shaped frames 35-36 have bearings 45 on their under faces, which are slidable on the shafts 11 35 and 12. The common chord between the members of the pairs vof -disks are spaced apart a distance corresponding approxilmately to the distance between the adjacent rows, and the frames 35 and 36 are mounted to slide on the shafts 11 and 12, to automatically adjust themselves to variations in the distance between adjacent rows. The bearings are suiiiciently loose, to permit each )cutting device constituted by the frame 45 35-36 and'connected parts to be moved by the plants in the row. .That is should for instance one disk of apair strike the plant first, the frame 35--36 on which vthe disk is supported will. be movedl laterally onthe lapping of the disks.

' variations of the plants. It will be under stood that thestalks are strong enoughzto move the frame. By means' of the .levfe'r`135 the two cutting mechanisms may beadju's'tf ed to cut the plants at any desiredheight. When. the plants have been cut ,the i j on to an endless carrier 'which exten? S-th'ei' 'Fig.v 3, that the disks ofeach U-shaped shafts 11-12, to' bring'the plant at the over- The cutting devices thus automatically adjust themselves to the pass' carrier is supported by the rollers. The endless carrier comprises an endless belt 53 of A pinion 56- is' secured to one end of the roller 52, outside the adjacent sidel plate 48, and the pinion meshes with a gear wheel.57, on a stub shaft 58 which is journaled in the side plate. A sprocket lwheel 59 is secured to the stub shaft, and a sprocket chain 6.0

connects the sprocket wheel 59 with a,-

sprocket'wheel'l on the axle. r1`he arrangement is such that the upper run of the endand at its lower end the carrier rests upon pins 76 connected with the links 22. Each pin extends laterally inward from the link, and the lower edges of the side plates rest upon the pins. T he lower end of the carrier is thus-supported by the links, and the said A series y less carrier will move toward 4the roller52, y y.

lower end is adjusted with the cutting mech- 1 anism, so that the lower end of the elevator'` is directly abo've'ftheHcutting mechanisms, and in positionto receive the plants as they are cut. The endless carrier supporting frame is supported by the pins 76 and by arms or struts 77. Each of the struts 77 is secured toa side plate48 at one end and engages the axle at, the other, as shown in Fig. 3. lAs the plants pass from the rear end of the elevator they drop upon a dropping de'- vice, consisting lof a series of supporting fingers 62, each of whichis secured to a shaft 63. journaled in bearing arms 64 which dependfrom the rear end of the main frame.

The lingers are arranged inthe same plane, each having'a bearing 65 at its front end for v enga ging the shaft, and the rear end of each of the said fingers is bent upwardlv, as

shown, to prevent dislodgment of the plants.

The dropper or carrier constituted by the l fingers 62 is normally held in approximately horizontal position. by means of a toggle. Y

',jointrconsistin'g of members 66 and 66,

The members of the toggle are. normally held in alinement by means of a trip, comprising'afoot plate 67 hinged to the frame at 68, and connected to the joint of the toggle by a link 69. The uppermostmember of the toggle is pivoted to the frame as shown at 70, and the lowermost member is 'pi'voted' to -an arm 71 extending forwardly rom the shaft 63. So'long as the foot late 67 is held downward by the foot o the driver, the members of the toggle joint will 'be held in alinement, and the dropper or carrier will be held approximately,.- horizontal. When itis desiredA to discharge the carrier or droppen the foot is lifted from the foot plate, and the weightonthe lingers ywill break the toggle joint permitting the load to discharge from the fingers.

A seat 72 is supported above and in rear of the.4 mainframe by means of a plate 73, and the said seat is arranged at one sidel of the machine, near the foot plate 67 and the lever 13. The machine may be drawn through the eld by means of a tongue 74, and to permit the lateral adj ustment'of the Ushaped frames 35-36, the connecting rods areadjustable in length. At its rear end each of the said rods fits within a socket 75, and the interior of the socket is polygonal'in cross section, as is also that portion of the rod which engages the socket. The rods are thus freely expansible and contractible, to permit the free movement of the frames -36. y I

The operation of 'the improved harvester is as follows: rlhe machine is drawn through the field in any desired manner, with the cutting lmechanisms arranged as shown in asf Fig. 3. The said mechanisms are adjusted to the desired height, by means of the lever 13, the elevator being adjusted at the same time. As the cutting disks 43 engage the plants, they will be moved laterally, to bring each plant at the intersection of the adjacent pair of disks... Should for instance a plant be out of line, the cutting mechanism which-the plantvstrikes will be moved laterally, to bring-the plant at the intersection. The endless belt 53 is of canvas or like y,materiah and as the plants are cut they. are engaged by the spikes, and are carried upwardly and rearwardly by the elevator, dro ping at last onto the dropper or carrier. hen a sufficient load has accumulated on thedropper, the driver releases the treadle G7,y and the load is discharged. rlfhe .cut plants may be thus'arranged in windrows transversely of the eld and as soon as the dropper has discharged its, load, the depression vof the foot plate 57 will return the parts to normal position.- The spikes will engagethe plants before they are cut, so thatv they will not fall down on i the ground and be .passed over.4 The links 30 move freely in the sockets, topermit the lateral' adjustemnt jof the cutting devices. With the im roved machine, after it is once adjusted to h withffregardto the drop ing` mechanism. The'cutting mechanism will) and if the droppe'r isn erated at the proper time, the machine `wi l operate correctly without any attentionafrpm the operator. Thereis shieldplate atthe rear of fthe mainl frame,I the salida plate extending over the gearfwheels-BQ :'ndifthe sprocket wheels 27 and 33, to,.;prevent2clogging of -v the "saidwheels by the-plants,

.*lQA bean harvesterconiprisinga main eight, theonly further atten-v tion required von-the .part of the operator is fol-low the rows,

frame, an axle journaled transversely of the 4frame,"vv'fheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at lits rear end to swing on the/axle andextending forwardly and downwardly, means for raising and lowering the front end of the auxiliary frame, a plurality of substantially U-shaped `brackets supported by the auxiliary frame at the front thereof and freely movable toward-and from each other, each bracket comprising a body and arms extending forwardly beyond the front end of the auxiliary frame, a stub shaft journaled vertically at the front end of each arm, a

tion between the shafts for .causing them to' rotate together at the samespeed and with the alternate shafts moving in the opposite direction tothe intermediate shafts, a drivatl ing v connection between one of the said shafts and the axle, a link connecting each stiib shaft with the adjacent driving shaft and having a universal joint connection with 'the shaft, each link being extensible Aand contractible, an elevator having its front i 'end adjacent to the cutter and inclining upwardly and delivering at-the rear of the main; frame, a connection between the raising and lowering means for the front end of the auxiliary frame Aand the front end of the elevator for adjusting the said front end with the auxiliary frame, and dropping mechanism at the rear of the main frame and supported thereby for receiving the cut beans, and releasable means for normally holding the said dropping means in receiving position.

2. A bean'harvester comprising a mainy frame, an axle journaled transversely of the frame, wheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at its rear end to swing on the axle and extending forwardly 'and a stub shaft journaled vertically atthe front` end of each arm, a concave-convex cutting disk secured to eachysliaft above the arm, the disks of each bracket lapping at their edges, a driving shaftA journaled on each arm of eachfbracket and ,-'havingv a driving connectionlwiththe adjacent sttibgh'aft, a series of the rear end of the main frame, a driving connectioiibetweenthe shafts for causing them to rotate together at the same speed and with the alternate shafts moving in the opposite direction to the intermediate shaft, a driving connection between one ofthe said shafts and the axle, an extensible and contractible connection between each drivingy shaft and the adjacent stub shaft, dropping .mechanism at the rear of. the main frame, and means for receiving the cut plants from the disks and delivering them to the dropping mechanism.

3. A bean harvester comprising a' main frame, anJ axle journaled transversely of the frame, Vwheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at its rear end to swing on the axle and extending, forwardly and downwardly, means for raising and lowering the front end of the auXiharyfraine, va plurality of substantially U-shaped brackets supported by the auxiliary frame at the front thereof-.and freely movable toward and from each other, each bracket comprising a body and arms-extending forwardly beyond the front end of the auxiliary frame, a stub shaft journaled vertically at the front end of each arm, a concavo-convex cutting disk secured to each shaft above the arm,

the disks of each'bracket lapping at their edges, a driving shaft journaled on each ai'm of each bracket and having a driving con nection with the adjacent stub shaft, a driving connection between the shafts and the axle for rotating the shafts of each bracket in opposite directions, dropping mechanism 'at the rear of the main frame, and means for conveying the plants from the disks to the dropping mechanism,

'4. A bean harvester comprising a main frame, an axle journaled trarsvei'sely of the frame, wheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at its rear. endto swing on the axle and'extending forwardly and downwardly, means for raising and llowering the front end of the auxiliary frame, a plurality of substantially U-shap'ed brackets supported by the auxiliary frame at the front thereof and movable toward and from each other, each bracket comprising a body and arms extending forwardly beyond the front end of the auxiliary frame, a cutting disk journaled on the front ends of each of the arms, the disks of each bracket overlapping, and a-driving connection between each disk and thevaxle for constraining the Adisks of each bracket to rotate in opposite directions, dropping mechanism at the rear of the frame, and means vfor carrying'the cut plants from the disk to the dropping mechanism.

5. A bean harvester comprising a main frame, an axle journaled transversely of the frame, wheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at its rear end to swing on the axle and extending forwardly and downwardly, means for raising and lowering the frontend of the auxiliary frame, a plurality of substantially U-shaped brackets supported by the auxiliaryv frame at the front thereof/andy movable toward and from each other, each bracket comprising a body and arms extending forwardly beyond ,the front end of the auxiliary frame, a stub shaft journaled vertically at the front end of each arm, a concave-convex cutting disk secured toV each shaft above the arm, the ldisks of each bracket lapping at their edges, a driving shaft journaled on each arm of each bracket variel having a driving connection with the adjacent stub shaft, and a driving connection between the shafts and the axle for rotating the shafts of each bracket in. opposite directions.

6. A bean harvester comprising a main frame, an axle journaled transversely of the frame, wheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame mounted at its rear end to swing 4on the axle and extending forwardly and lthe arms, the disks of each bracket overlapping, and a driving connection between each disk and the .axle for constraining thedisks of acli bracket to rotate in opposite directions. -f

7. A bean harvester comprising a main frame, wheels for supporting the frame, an auxiliary frame pivoted at its rear end to the main frame and extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom, means for raising and lowering the front end of the auxiliary frame,'a plurality of supporting brackets at the front end of the auxiliary frame and extending beyond the front end of the said frame, a pair of cutting disks journaled on each bracket for rotation on vertical axes and with their edges lapping, a driving connection between each pair of disks and the wheels for rotating the disks in opposite directions, said brackets being freely movable toward and froml each other and means for guiding the brackets. v

8. 1n a bean harvester, a main frame, an axle journaled transversely of the frame intermediate the ends thereof, wheels secured to the axle, an auxiliary frame journaled at Lits rear end on the axle and ex-l tending forwardly and downwardly, means t for raising' and lowering the front end of the. auxiliary frame, shafts arranged transversely of the 'auxiliary frame at the front thereof, supporting brackets freely, movable on the shafts toward and from each other, and a cutting mechanism on each bracket, and a driving connection between the axle and each cutting mechanism.

9. In a bean harvester, a main frame, an auxiliary frame in connection with the main frame, shafts supported by ,the auxiliary frame transverse to the main frame, and a plurality of cutting mechanisms slidable longitudinally of the shafts and arranged to be moved by the plants.

l0. In a bean harvester, a supporting frame, a plurality of cutting mechanisms mounted to slide freely laterally With respect to the frame toward and from each other, and adapted to be engaged and moved by the plants, and means for sup-` porting and guiding the said mechanisms in their movement.

11. In a bean harvester, a supporting ywith the other cutter of the said pair, and

the pairs being mounted to move freely with respect to the frame toward and from each other and adapted to be moved by the plants, and means forsupporting and guiding the said/'mechanisms in their movement. 12. In a bean harvester, a supporting frame, guide mechanism arranged transversely of the frame, a pair of cooperating cutting disks, and a support for the disks mounted on the guiding mechanism and slidable laterally of the frame and adapted to be moved by the direct engagement of the cutting disks with the plants.

JOSEPH PIPER. Witnesses:

VERN FLESHMAN, WALTER HOFFMAN. 

